New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India’s dream of ‘one nation one constitution’ has been fulfilled 73 years after independence with the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Ford here, the PM touched upon a range of issues such as water conservation and population explosion.
He announced a new post of ‘chief of defence staff’ who will oversee the three armed forces.
On abrogation of Article 370 and 35A:
The old arrangement in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh encouraged corruption, nepotism but there was injustice when it came to rights of women, children, Dalits and tribal communities. The dreams of sanitation workers were incomplete. How can we accept such a situation?
I want to ask the opposition if scrapping of Article 370 was so crucial, why did not you do it? You lacked conviction. You did not have the courage and the willpower to do it. For me the nation is first. We did not delay the issue. We passed the legislation with 2/3rd majority in the House.
Every Indian today can say proudly — ‘one nation one constitution’.
Jal Jeevan Mission with a corpus of Rs 3.4 lakh crore:
The initiative will be launched in the coming months with an aim to ensure sustainable water management, including the creation of local groundwater storage and recharge and use of waste treated water in agricultural activities in all these blocks. The PM said half of the household are still deprived of potable drinking water.
Population explosion:
Population explosion is a big challenge for us. We have to think- can we do justice to the aspirations of our children. There is a need to have greater discussion and awareness on population explosion.
Rs 100 lakh crore for infrastructure creation:
The need of the nation is the creation of modern infrastructure and keeping in mind the challenges of 21st century. We have decided to invest Rs 100 lakh crore on the country’s infrastructure.
Reducing government interference:
Let people have the freedom to follow their own aspirations. Can we not reduce the interference of the government in people’s lives? We have abolished more than 60 laws and will simplify procedures for ease of living.
Challenge to meet people’s aspirations:
People are no more content with railway stations. they want Vande Bharat express. They are connected with highways but want four and six lanes highways.
Digital payment:
Let us make digital payment the motto of our lives. “Digita payment ko haan, nakhad to na’ should be our objective.
Emphasis on tourism growth:
Can the children of this nation take a pledge to visit at least 15 tourist destinations in the country before 2022. This will not only promote tourism but improve infrastructure in these places.
Make India plastic-free:
Can we free India from single-use plastic? Time for implementing this idea is now. Let an important step in this direction be made on October 2.
